Shi Muyuan frowned and looked at the guard who came to report. "Where is the divine doctor now? Is he safe?"
She actually had a way to solve this matter, but she was just afraid that something might happen to San Qi. He was the key to this whole thing.
If he were gone, it would be pointless for her to step in.
Thankfully, the guard's answer calmed her down.
"The divine doctor is fine. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. But you'd better go there as soon as possible. We're afraid those people might do something bad."
She nodded slightly. "I'll go with you right away."
After seeing off the young emperor, Shi Muyuan followed the guard to the plague - stricken area in Changjing City.
She had learned from her previous experience in the modern world. As soon as she heard about the plague, she had the young emperor isolate all those who had contracted the plague. Otherwise, it was very likely to spread to those who were still healthy.
The moment she arrived at the plague - stricken area, she immediately heard a series of noisy shouts.
"Who do you think you are to lock us up here? We didn't ask for this plague. It's those corrupt officials who caused all this. We're the innocent ones! Now you even want to test drugs on us. Are you trying to protect those corrupt officials?"
"Yes, it's not our fault. You officials protect each other. Even the emperor doesn't care about our lives. It seems that there's not a single decent person in the Great Liang Dynasty these days. Otherwise, there wouldn't be people like you."
Hearing what those people said, Shi Muyuan's face grew darker and darker. She had been on the move for the past few days and thought this place had been properly handled. She never expected those people to be so useless that they couldn't even control a few troublemakers.
However, the words of those people just now, if spread, would have a fatal impact on the young emperor.
If it got out that the current emperor was incompetent and let the people die, the Great Liang Dynasty might fall apart.
The solemn - dressed woman walked out slowly from behind with a group of palace servants. Before those who had just been ranting could react, she slapped one of them.
With a loud "slap", the scene suddenly fell silent, and then erupted into an uproar.
"Who do you think you are? Which young lady is so rude? How dare you come to the plague - stricken area and hurt people? You must be tired of living. It's really because the current emperor is incompetent and officials protect each other that we innocent people have to suffer this disaster."
"Oh, God! When will you open your eyes and take a look at these people? What a disgrace!"
The woman slapped again, and this time, the people around fell completely silent.
Both of them covered their faces and looked at the person in front of them in disbelief.
"You! Who on earth are you? How dare you be so arrogant? Are your guards all dead? Someone is right at your doorstep, and you just stand there and do nothing."
As he said this, that person wanted to fight Shi Muyuan, but as soon as he made a move, the guards who had been silent at first rushed forward.
That person's intention was exposed, and he wished he could tear the person in front of him to pieces.
"You! You're all no good! I finally understand. You're all sycophants. I'm going to expose you."
"Heh, fine. Then tell me everything today. I'll listen right here."
That person snorted, with disdain in his eyes. "Who do you think you are? How dare you talk big."
This time, that person was directly beaten until the corner of his mouth bled. This time, it was Xiao Xiao who did it.
She couldn't bear it any longer. She didn't know where this person got the courage to be disrespectful to the master again and again.
"How dare you! The person in front of you is the current Empress Dowager. How dare you shout in front of the Empress Dowager? It seems you don't want your head anymore."
That person was completely stunned. How could he know that the person in front of him was the current Empress Dowager?
But then he thought, no, even if she was the Empress Dowager, he was not wrong. Why should he be afraid?
With this thought in mind, that person started shouting again.
"So what if you're the Empress Dowager? Can the Empress Dowager decide people's lives and deaths at will? How ridiculous."
"Heh, of course not. Although our royal family has an emperor who is respected as the Son of Heaven, we never use our status to bully others. The emperor is also strict with himself. Do you think everyone is like a useless wretch like you, always complaining?"
That person just couldn't believe it. He still insisted on his original statement.
"You must be lying. You're definitely lying. I won't believe a single word you say."
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter to us at all. But today you incited other common people and showed disrespect to the emperor and the court. Today, I'll follow the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty and make an example of you."
As she finished speaking, the guards directly dragged that person to one side.
Shi Muyuan showed no mercy. "Execute him by slow slicing in public."
The other on - looking common people suddenly felt scared. It seemed as if a cold wind was blowing on their necks. This Empress Dowager was really too ruthless.
Some common people couldn't bear to watch and stepped forward to plead.
"Empress Dowager, we've all realized our mistakes. Can you spare his life? I'm sure he'll never do such a thing again."
"Yes, Empress Dowager, we know we're wrong. Spare his life."
Turning around and looking coldly at those who were pleading, Shi Muyuan didn't give anyone face.
"It seems those who are pleading are in this together. In that case, arrest these people too and punish them together."
Those people didn't expect the Empress Dowager to take action against them in public. They immediately became dissatisfied.
"The Empress Dowager is abusing her power. We common people have no choice but to endure. But remember, there's a god watching above. Empress Dowager, just wait and see."
"We'll never let you people who hurt us go even if we become ghosts."
"Wait. I've suddenly changed my mind. Someone, send them to the divine doctor to test the drugs."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the crowd. This was even more unbearable than being killed.
"No, no, we don't want to go. Empress Dowager, we know we're wrong. Please spare us."
They knew that the antidote hadn't been fully developed yet. Testing the drugs now was very likely a dead end.
They were not willing to accept this no matter what.
But Shi Muyuan's decision couldn't be changed by just a few words from them.
"Whether you go or not is not up to you."
As she finished speaking, those people were dragged away. Looking at the fear of the people around her, Shi Muyuan thought it was ridiculous.
She had spoken nicely before, but no one wanted to listen. Now that she had just punished one person, some people were immediately scared.
It seemed that some sayings were really true. If you don't give them a beating, they'll never know their place.
Watching as the leader's head fell to the ground and his eyes stared straight at her, the others were extremely scared.